Assistant Chief Nurse – Nursing Operations | Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

Chicago, Illinois, Summary The Assistant Chief Nurse – Nursing Operations executes leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups or integrated programs that cross service and/or discipline lines – influence organizational mission and health care – and responsibility for outcomes. Qualifications Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) – no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) OR Individuals attending a master’s level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor’s level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program Upon achievement of a State license – the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program (Reference VA Handbook 5005 – Appendix G6) OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing – possession of a current – full – active – and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD) Current – full – active – and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State – Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. – Puerto Rico) of the United States – or the District of Columbia Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements – but do not possess the required licensure – may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision – All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification Preferred Experience: MSN Three (3) to five (5) years of clinical nursing practice Two (2) to three (3) years of management experience Demonstrated leadership – self-direction – and rational problem solving skills Works well with interdisciplinary team Experience with Microsoft Word – Excel – etc Experience developing and/or implementing clinical nursing programs Grade Determinations: The following Scope – Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates – and if appropriate – the level within a grade The Dimension requirements (Practice – Veteran/Patient Driven Care – Leadership – Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12967237 Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I – Level I Delivers fundamental – knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing – with no additional professional nursing required Nurse I – Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts – cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required Nurse I – Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I – Level 2 OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I – Level 2 OR a Master’s degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience OR a Master’s degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I – Level 3 OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level 3 OR a Master’s degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I – Level 3 OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership – experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience – one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III OR a Master’s degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience – one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity – keen hearing – clear distinctive speech – and manual dexterity This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking – standing – stooping – sitting – bending – pulling – and pushing Transferring patients and objects may be required Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations – operative invasive procedures – or home settings The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium – dementia – or psychiatric disorders The incumbent must be a mature – flexible – sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations – able to shift priorities based on patient needs Must complete annual Employee Health requirements – such as annual TB screening or testing – as a condition of employment The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA XII. Duties The Assistant Chief Nurse – Nursing Operations – functions as a self-directed clinical leader – educator – and consultant utilizing management theory in collaboration with Patient Care Service (PCS) and other services Other duties performed include – but are not limited to the following: Ensures administrative support and guidance while providing oversight for the delivery of nursing care and management of nursing personnel and clinical resources Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education – self-management – and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care Follows procedures per established policies and guidelines Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team Provides coordination and accountability for all regulatory and environmental surveys and adheres to mandatory response timelines Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in the unit/program level quality improvement process and initiatives as well as customer service programs Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership – experience – and creative approaches to management of complex client care Establishes and maintains effective relationships with all levels of medical center personnel and relate effectively with customers – families – and the community as well as program and service leaders at the local and network levels Assists Nurse Managers (NM) to carry out the functions and activities expected of them Contribute ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care – policies – and objectives for the enhancement of nursing organization-wide – while assisting in policy-making activities as related to customer service and the overall functioning of administrative and clinical programs Collaborates with other health care staff to establish and maintain programs that cross service and/or discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care Demonstrates leadership at the service and/or hospital level – including functioning as a nursing leader with the ability to delegate appropriately Performs administrative functions to assistant the Associate Chief Nurse (ACN) which include but are not limited to educational programs – medicine specialty – procedural areas – etc Assists with aggregate data and participate in the budget process to plan for current – emerging – and future resource requirements for operational status Provides leadership in determining the allocation of resources based on patient care systems that produce high-quality outcomes Engages in professional organizations to enhance leadership and career growth – and adhere to ethical principles in decision-making – fostering accountability at personal – organizational – and staff levels Equip staff with tools for competent care and promote accountability for high-quality – cost-effective outcomes Cultivate alliances across the care continuum – building trust through active listening – engagement – and emotional intelligence Assists with the development of care delivery models and environmental design – ensuring evidence-based – accessible – affordable – and equitable patient care Ensures compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards – directives – policies – and standards operating procedures (SOP) Aligns nursing/clinical objectives with organizational strategic outcomes – participating in strategy planning and execution VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary – regular salary increases – potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave – 13 days of sick leave – 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: 7:30am – 4:00pm scheduling flexibility required Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.